Local Flood Guide Safe Whitehorse Flood information for the Laburnum area within the suburb of Blackburn at City of Whitehorse WHITEHORSE 131 450 The Whitehorse local area The City of Whitehorse is home to more than 150,000 residents. Waterways in the area include Gardiners Creek, Dandenong Creek, Koonung Creek and their smaller tributaries. The land is hilly in nature with many valleys, making some areas Your local emergency broadcasters are: prone to flash flooding from heavy rainfall. ■ ABC Radio 774 AM Most of the City of Whitehorse is fully developed and is now undergoing a phase of ■ Stereo 974 redevelopment, with increases in population density and intensification of land use, Local Flood Information Flood Local particularly along the main transport routes. ■ 97.4 FM ■ SKY NEWS Television The key flood risks are likely to be associated with relatively short and intense rainfall events of a few hours duration, but extended long-term rainfall over several days will also create risks and social disruption. City of Whitehorse contact details: Flooding in many parts of Melbourne is a historical issue. Before 1975, there were no Phone: 9262 6333 planning controls in place, meaning many homes were built without consideration of Web: whitehorse.vic.gov.au existing water courses and drainage. Email: [email protected] The map below shows the expected flooding in a 1% Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) flood in the City of Whitehorse (yellow area of the map). Laburnum is bordered in red. A 1% AEP flood means there is a 1% chance of a flood this size occurring in any year. Disclaimer This map publication is presented by Victoria State Emergency Service for the purpose of disseminating emergency management information. The contents of the information has not been independently verified by Victoria State Emergency Service. No liability is accepted for any damage, loss or injury caused by errors or omissions in this information or for any action taken by any person in reliance upon it. Flood information is provided by Melbourne Water . 2 Local Flood Guide Your Local Flood Information Know your risk Are you at risk of flooding? Did you know? The small Laburnum community forms part of the suburb of For Laburnum residents, the normal water level for the Gardiners Blackburn and it includes the entire length of Laburnum Street and Creek, Blackburn North Drain Gauge, at nearby Kinkora Road, is 0.1 metres which is only 100 millimetres. A gauge is an instrument to the immediate surrounding area. Information Flood Local measure water depth. Gardiners Creek runs southwest through the centre of the City of Whitehorse. A number of stormwater drains feed into Gardiners On the 27th of July 1977 the water level at that gauge peaked at 4.34 Creek. metres which is a massive 4.24 metres (or 4024 millimetres) above normal. Drainage improvements including Blackburn Lake have been built along the various drains which minimise the impacts of flooding in Recently on the 1st of June 2013 the water level at that gauge peaked the area. at 3.03 metres (3033 millimetres). Flooding in the area is primarily caused by flash flooding from heavy The City of Whitehorse has also experienced several major floods rainfall associated with severe storms or severe weather events. It can affecting the area in the past, usually resulting from heavy rainfall also be caused by overflowing waterways after prolonged rainfall. associated with storms, including: The Laburnum Street community is at risk from flooding along both ■ December 2003, when the Kinkora Road retarding basin reached the Blackburn North and South Parade Drains. 4.0m and overtopped. December 2007 when 100mm of rain fell over two days in the The map below shows the potential affect of flooding for Laburnum ■ area causing flash flooding. in a major flood event. ■ During this event, Nunawading was the third most affected area While no two floods are the same, floods like this or worse could in Melbourne with 275 calls for assistance to the Victoria State occur again. If you live close to a creek, river or in a low-lying area you Emergency Service (SES) over the two days. may be at risk of flooding. Even if you are not directly affected, you may still need to detour around flooded areas. Knowing what to do can save your life and help protect your property. Local Flood Guide 3 About Flood Warnings What warnings mean Emergency Alert Warnings are issued by the Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) to SES may provide alerts to the Laburnum community through inform people about the possibility of flooding. the Emergency Alert telephone warning system. All emergency service providers can use an Emergency Alert to warn About About Warnings Flood A Flood Watch means there is a developing weather pattern that communities about dangerous situations by voice message to might cause floods in one or two days. landline telephones or text message to mobile phones. Victoria State Emergency Service (SES) will give information about If you receive a warning, make sure that all family members, how floodwater might affect people and properties. This includes people at work, and your neighbours are aware of the situation. safety messages to remind you what to do. If you receive an Emergency Alert you should pay attention As Laburnum is prone to flash flooding, Severe Weather Warnings and act. It could mean life or death. and Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are your earliest triggers to activate your Home Emergency Plan. If you need help to understand a warning, ask a friend, neighbour or family member. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings Thunderstorms are classified as severe due to their potential to cause significant localised damage through: wind gusts, large hail, During flash flooding tornadoes or flash flooding. Severe Thunderstorm Warnings are issued to the community by BoM. When flash flooding is likely, if you decide to leave, do so well before flooding occurs. Leaving early before flooding occurs Severe Weather Warnings is always the safest option. You may decide to shelter with These warnings are issued to the community by BoM when neighbours, family or friends in a safer area. severe weather is expected that is not directly related to severe thunderstorms or bushfires. Examples of severe weather include Evacuating through floodwater is very dangerous and you may be damaging winds and flash flooding. swept away. Never drive, ride or walk through floodwater. Flash flooding results in water rising rapidly and flowing If you do not leave early enough and become trapped by rising powerfully and quickly. Laburnum residents should listen out for floodwater inside your home or business, stay inside your building warnings with flash flooding and remember that flash flooding: and seek the highest part such as a second storey. ■ Occurs so fast that it is difficult to provide a detailed warning. Stay there and call Triple Zero (000) if your emergency is life- Often it arrives without any warning. threatening. ■ Usually results from heavy rainfall falling during short, severe storms. If you are staying in a caravan or temporary dwelling, move to higher ground before flooding begins. Listen to Severe Thunderstorm Warnings and Severe Weather Warnings for your area. If you hear a warning, check the BoM and Safety in flash flooding SES websites for information and advice. You can monitor river and rainfall conditions on the BoM website at bom.gov.au. Driving through floodwater is the number one cause of adult deaths during floods. Never walk, ride, swim or drive through Know your local environment floodwater. If you live in the Laburnum area, keep an eye on the weather, Playing in floodwater is the number one cause of death during especially heavy rainfall or sustained rainfall over a number of floods for children and teenagers. Floodwater is filled with days. unseen dangers, harbouring hidden debris such as broken glass, shattered timbers and twisted metals as well as sewage, putrid Knowing your local area and making your own observations are a food waste and toxic chemicals. great way to help you prepare for future floods. Floodwater is toxic. Never allow your children to play or swim in Remember, you may not receive any official warning. floodwater. Emergency assistance may not be immediately available. Be aware of what is happening around you to stay safe. Never wait for a warning to act. 4 Local Flood Guide 4 Local Flood Guide Preparing for Floods Prepare a plan Now – before a flood Your emergency plan ■ Check if your home or business is subject to flooding. For Emergencies can happen at any time, with little warning. more information, visit www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au/property People who have planned and prepared for emergencies will reduce the impact and recover faster. Floods for Preparing ■ Develop an emergency plan. ■ Check if you could be cut off by floodwater. Taking the time to think about emergencies and make your own plan helps you think clearly, have more control and make better Know the safest way to go if you decide to leave your ■ decisions when an emergency occurs. property and plan an alternative route. ■ Check your insurance policies to ensure your equipment, Your emergency plan should identify: property and business are covered for flood damage. ■ The types of emergencies that might affect you. ■ Keep a list of emergency numbers near the telephone. How those emergencies might affect you. ■ Put together an emergency kit. ■ ■ Stay alert for weather warnings and heavy rainfall. ■ What you will do before, during and after an emergency. ■ Where to get more information. When a flood is likely ■ Where you will go if you evacuate and the best way to go in different circumstances. ■ Take action.